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Reddit Answers: Life on the Space Station

After astronaut Scott Kelly returned from his history making year in space, NASA hosted a Reddit forum to answer questions posed by space enthusiasts. Below are some of my questions, and NASA’s answers.

Mike: When will Scott Kelly lose the extra inches of height that he gained from being in space? Or is that a permanent physical change?

NASA: Recovery is super quick – essentially just by adding gravity back into the mix. The results aren’t permanent. SM

NASA: As soon as Scott returned to gravity and stood up, gravity began to compress his spine again. Most likely, he is already back to his pre-launch height. sm

Mike: How comparable is the microgravity Kelly experienced in Earth’s orbit to what travelers to Mars would experience on their journey?

NASA: The microgravity is the same as a transit to Mars. But once the crew lands on Mars they will be in 3/5 of Earth gravity. -JR

The NASA scientists and doctors involved in this particular forum were:

Julie Robinson, Ph.D., NASA’s Chief Scientist for the International Space Station

John Charles, Ph.D., Associate Manager for International Science for NASA’s Human Research Program